Coffee and chill
1320 Words
You know, Aria was right about me needing to feel motivated in order to fight well. For the first time, I actually felt confident during training, and I think I did pretty well today. I was still tired by the time we were finished with the first part, but at the same time, it felt pretty good. Although I was surprised that it was just me and Aria in the arena today, where were Hazel and Dale? Not that I’m complaining.
“You did well today.” Aria commented with a smile, “I noticed that you appeared confident while training. I’m impressed. Keep it up.”
“I’ll try,” I nodded as we set the swords down on the table.
“Well,” she breathed out “Since it’s break time, I think it’s time I show you another part of the castle where I like to hang out. Come on.”
Please be her room. Please be her room.
Once again, I just want to see her room. That’s all.
I followed her up the stairs and down a hall where we soon entered this really cool looking lounge. Like any other lounge, it had a big couch and some smaller ones including some comfy royal chairs, a coffee table, a sink that had some wooden mugs and a pitcher to the side, a bookshelf, a fireplace, and even a piano. And just like the castle, this room had tree branches and tree trunks swirling over certain parts of the wall like vines.
I noticed how this room had some modern things in here like the piano and the sink. I never thought they would have anything like that in this world.
“This is my personal lounge.” Aria announced, “No one else is allowed in here except for me, my dad, and my friends. This is where I like to relax after training or if I just want to socialize with my friends.”
“Well, it’s really nice,” I commented amusedly.
“You can come in here whenever you like, there’s even coffee if you’d like.”
“You guys have coffee here?” I remarked astonished.
“It’s the twenty-first century, of course we have coffee.”
Whoa. So that’s what’s in that pitcher. Just when I thought this couldn’t get any more modern.
“Besides,” she added, “Coffee’s been around since the 15th century.”
“Really?” I gasped.
Okay, so maybe the coffee wasn’t so modern.
“You didn’t know that?” she reacted with a small chuckle, “I thought you were smart.”
I frowned, “Just because I’m smart doesn’t mean I know everything.”
“You’re right.” she agreed with a shrug “So, you want some coffee?”
“Yes, please. I didn’t get a chance to get some this morning.”
“Well, you’re in luck now.”
She went over to the sink where she pulled up a basket to the front that contained some sweeteners.
“We got sugar, honey. You may notice that some of the sugar packets look like they don’t belong in this world.”
“I see,” I mentioned when I picked up one of the sugar packets that look like they came from a restaurant.
“It’s because sometimes we like to take some things from your world and bring them here” she giggled, “But we don’t steal anything, I promise.”
“Well, I’ve noticed that this room has some new things that I didn’t expect to see. Like that sink, and that piano. It’s like you guys like to mix up the old times with modern times.”
“Yeah,” she admitted, “I mean, you guys have some really neat inventions that we need down here. Like the sink here, it really helps.”
“What about the piano?” I pointed.
“That has actually been there since the Victorian ages.”
“Wow,” I responded amazed “Do you play?”
“Sometimes.”
“Really? You can play the piano?”
“I can also play the violin and the flute, pretty much all elves know to play certain instruments.”
“Can I have a demonstration?”
“Maybe later, in the meantime, I really want some coffee.”
“Oh, right.”
“There are creamers and milk beneath the sink” she added as she bent down and opened the drawer to pull out a wooden bucket filled with creamers and ice.
“Looks like you guys also took some creamers from my world” I chuckled.
“We had to,” she smiled, “They’re so good.”
We each poured ourselves some coffee into the wooden mugs as I added some cream into mine as Aria added cream and sugar.
“So, where are your two friends?” I asked as we took a seat on the big couch.
“Back home, it’s their day off today.”
“Oh. Do they both live in that city I saw when we were on the balcony?”
“No.” she shook her head while taking a sip of her coffee “There’s actually some houses to the other side of the palace, that’s where they live.”
“And so they just come here whenever they want?”
“Pretty much, everyone knows who they are.”
“They sure must feel lucky to be best friends with the princess” I grinned.
“Oh please,” she giggled, “They may be my best friends, but everyone treats me like a normal person, and that’s the way I like it. I mean, there are times when I have to play the princess role, but overall, it’s nice to be myself. Which reminds me, you need to show me around your hometown someday.”
“And you need to show me more of Fantastopia” I put in.
“We’ll get there,” she promised with a small smile.
“By the way, when can I finally use Defender?”
Aria nearly choked on her coffee as she put her fingers to her lips to hold it back.
“I’m sorry.” I quickly apologized “I didn’t mean to shock you like that.”
“It’s okay.” she assured while wiping away the coffee on her lips “I should’ve known you still wanted to use that killing machine.”
“I’m just saying,” I tried to explain “It could really help me out. I understand that it could possibly take control over me, but as long as I don’t kill anyone for revenge, anger, or jealousy, I’ll be okay.”
“I know but-” she sighed, “I’m just not sure if I can’t trust you with that sword. I mean it was created by a sorcerer, and do you know how dangerous sorcerers can be?”
“Um... judging by your face, I’m guessing very?”
“Correct. You may think that a sorcerer is just another word for a wizard, but no, in this world, sorcerers are doers of dark magic, meaning that Defender was created by dark magic.”
Damn, she was right. Defender may have a powerful strike, but it does have a dark side. Now, I’m not so sure, but this sword could really help me. But if do get the chance to use Defender, can I really be able to control myself against its dark ways?
“Look, Jesse.” Aria suddenly spoke up “Let’s just see how well you do with a sword. You’re doing great so far, but let’s wait a bit. By the time you feel confident with a sword, then maybe you can try out Defender.”
I raised an eyebrow, “You think so?”
“I know you’re a smart person, and if you can really control yourself against Defender, then I guess that’ll be alright.”
I felt a small smile forming across my face, “Thanks. And hey, if anything happens to me if I do use Defender, you can stop me, right?”
“Well, it depends on how I’ll have to stop you. But let’s just wait until that actually happens.”
But just as nodded in agreement, the doors swung open as Dale stormed in all panting and sweaty.
“Dale?” Aria remarked surprised “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve got a problem” he huffed tiredly “One of my horses’ foals is missing.”
“What?” she gasped.
“I went into the barn to check on them, but that’s when I notice the gate was opened and one of the foals is gone.”
“Oh no,” Aria quickly set down her mug and got up “Jesse, can you help us?”
“To rescue a baby horse? Of course, I’ll help.”
“Thank you,” Dale breathed in relief.
“One second,” I held up a finger as I began to gulp down my coffee.
“Really?” Aria muttered.
“What?” I frowned, “I told you I didn’t get a chance to have coffee this morning.”
After taking one last sip, I let out a small burp before setting down the mug.
“Okay, now I’m ready.”
- Writer
